SUMMER

Juliette Burton's dynamic performance ensures a satisfying end to Smith's seasonal quartet of novels. Burton's range is a good match for this twisting, time-hopping story. It's a somber summer for the Greenlaw family during COVID, and the story's bleak tone is amplified with wartime stories of the past and climate worries for the future. Characters from previous novels come together, and loose ends are tied up. Linguistic play between siblings is enhanced by Burton's nuanced narration. For example, varied delivery of the word "so . . ." may signify indifference or superiority. In her portrayal of a shouting televangelist on YouTube, Burton contrasts a Southern drawl with the British accents of most of the characters. A hoarse old man comments that his painful memories are not as bad as the memories of others, highlighting the novel's theme of relativity. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]